VCHR Action Toolkit

2024 Virginia General Assembly

Included in this document:

• Updates on bills
• Requested action (that include email draft, contact info)
• Helpful resources 

Please check this document regularly.

We will update the status of the bills and the action items needed frequently.

Last Updated on

Wednesday 2/07/2024

PLEASE TAKE ACTION

See next page to take action

Latest update:

• SB604 (Senate anti-boycott bill) Defeated in Committee 1/31/2024
• SR1 (support for Israel resolution) Dismissed  in Rules Committee on 1/26/2024
• HB758 (House anti-boycott bill) Defeated in Subcommittee 1/23/2024

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Bill Information and Action Items

Click here to Return to Bill Information

Action Item 1A - SB604

Senate Bill: SB604 -“Prohibition on boycotting Israel” (anti-BDS)

**Use this ADC Action tool to send an email and/or send an email manually as follows:

Email the Committee AND your Senator if not on the committee (Who is my legislator?)

Email addresses of committee members (copy/paste all into the “to” part of the email):

senatorebbin@senate.virginia.gov, senatorlocke@senate.virginia.gov, senatorreeves@senate.virginia.gov, senatormcpike@senate.virginia.gov, senatorpillion@senate.virginia.gov, senatorrouse@senate.virginia.gov, senatorhead@senate.virginia.gov, senatorjordan@senate.virginia.gov, senatoraird@senate.virginia.gov, senatorvanvalkenburg@senate.virginia.gov, senatorroem@senate.virginia.gov, senatorsubramanyam@senate.virginia.gov, senatorcarrollfoy@senate.virginia.gov, senatorfrench@senate.virginia.gov, senatorcraig@senate.virginia.gov 

Email Subject Line (copy/paste into “subject” part of the email): Vote NO on Unconstitutional Bill: SB604

Email Body Draft (copy/paste text below into an email with the above subject):

I am writing to ask you to vote NO on SB604  Virginia Public Procurement Act; prohibition on boycotting Israel

SB604 would amend the Virginia Public Procurement Act to prohibit state bodies from contracting or subcontracting with businesses that engage in a boycott of “(i) the State of Israel; (ii) an entity or individual doing business in or with the State of Israel; or (iii) an entity authorized by, licensed by, or organized under the laws of the State of Israel.”

The First Amendment protects political speech, and this bill clearly aims to restrict our Constitutional rights, which includes criticizing governments. According to the ACLU Virginia, “Government contract restrictions cannot be based on the desire to punish First Amendment activities that aim to influence public opinion on our nation’s policies. Accordingly, federal courts have repeatedly found that bills targeted at restricting boycotts of Israel—bills identical in substance [in 658]—violate the Constitution.”

In 1982 the Supreme Court ruled in NAACP v. Claiborne Hardware Co. that “an economic boycott constitutes a form of constitutionally protected expression akin to traditional means of communication…”

A boycott is a nonviolent protest traditionally employed by those whose voices have been long ignored. Boycotts are an American tradition--from the Boston Tea Party to the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The boycott of Israel should not be an exception to our nation’s documented history of participating in similar actions for social change.

I kindly ask that you vote NO on SB 604 to affirm that all Virginians and businesses have the right to participate in economic boycotts, and to uphold the core First Amendment right to political speech.

Your name

Your address

Phone (optional)

Click here to Return to Bill Information

Action Item 1B - SB604

Senate Bill: SB604 -“Prohibition on boycotting Israel” (anti-BDS)

Phone calls to your Senator AND Committee members (Who is my legislator?)

Please find a table with names and phone numbers for the members of the Senate General Laws Committee here

(If you are a constituent or representing an organization please indicate that on the call)

Suggested call script:

Hello, my name is __________. I am calling to ask Senator___________ to vote NO on SB604 I am calling to ask you to vote NO on SB604  Virginia Public Procurement Act; prohibition on boycotting Israel.

The bill is currently in the General Laws Committee.

SB604 is unconstitutional because it infringes on our right to free speech. In addition, boycotts are an American tradition--from the Boston Tea Party to the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The boycott of Israel should not be an exception to our nation’s documented history.

I ask that Senator __________ vote NO on SB604

Thank you

Click here to Return to Bill Information

Action Item 2A - HB758

House Bill: HB758 -“Prohibition on boycotting Israel” (anti-BDS)

DEFEATED

Email the Subcommittee AND your Delegate  if not on the committee (Who is my legislator?)

Email addresses of committee members (copy/paste all into the “to” part of the email):

DelDBulova@house.virginia.gov, DelBCarr@house.virginia.gov, DelMSimon@house.virginia.gov, DelKDelaney@house.virginia.gov, DelJCole@house.virginia.gov, DelAMcClure@house.virginia.gov, DelCCoyner@house.virginia.gov, DelRBloxom@house.virginia.gov, DelBWiley@house.virginia.gov 

Email Subject Line (copy/paste into “subject” part of the email): Vote NO on Unconstitutional Bill: HB758

Email Body Draft (copy/paste text below into an email with the above subject):

I am writing to ask you to vote NO on HB 758 Virginia Public Procurement Act; prohibition on boycotting Israel

HB 758 would amend the Virginia Public Procurement Act to prohibit state bodies from contracting or subcontracting with businesses that engage in a boycott of “(i) the State of Israel; (ii) an entity or individual doing business in or with the State of Israel; or (iii) an entity authorized by, licensed by, or organized under the laws of the State of Israel.”

The First Amendment protects political speech, and this bill clearly aims to restrict our Constitutional rights, which includes criticizing governments. According to the ACLU Virginia, “Government contract restrictions cannot be based on the desire to punish First Amendment activities that aim to influence public opinion on our nation’s policies. Accordingly, federal courts have repeatedly found that bills targeted at restricting boycotts of Israel—bills identical in substance [to HB 758]—violate the Constitution.”

In 1982 the Supreme Court ruled in NAACP v. Claiborne Hardware Co. that “an economic boycott constitutes a form of constitutionally protected expression akin to traditional means of communication…”

A boycott is a nonviolent protest traditionally employed by those whose voices have been long ignored. Boycotts are an American tradition--from the Boston Tea Party to the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The boycott of Israel should not be an exception to our nation’s documented history of participating in similar actions for social change.

I kindly ask that you vote NO on HB 758 to affirm that all Virginians and businesses have the right to participate in economic boycotts, and to uphold the core First Amendment right to political speech.

Your name

Your address

Phone (optional)

Click here to Return to Bill Information

Action Item 2B - HB758

House Bill: HB758 -“Prohibition on boycotting Israel” (anti-BDS)

Phone calls to your Delegate AND Subcommittee members

DEFEATED

Phone calls to your Delegate  AND Subcommittee members (Who is my legislator?)

Please find a table with names and phone numbers for the members of the Subcommittee on Procurement/Open Government Here

(If you are a constituent or representing an organization please indicate that on the call)

Suggested call script:

Hello, my name is __________. I am calling to ask Delegate___________ to vote NO on HB758 Virginia Public Procurement Act; prohibition on boycotting Israel.

HB758 is unconstitutional because it infringes on our right to free speech. In addition, boycotts are an American tradition--from the Boston Tea Party to the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The boycott of Israel should not be an exception to our nation’s documented history.

I ask that Delegate __________ vote NO on HB758

Thank you

Click here to Return to Bill Information

Action Item 3A - HB1255

House Bill HB1255 - [Higher Ed report on antisemitism - IHRA enforcement essentially]

Email the Committee AND your Delegate (Who is my legislator?)

Email addresses of committee members (copy/paste all into the “to” part of the email):

DelDScott@house.virginia.gov, DelDHelmer@house.virginia.gov, DelVWatts@house.virginia.gov, DelJWard@house.virginia.gov, DelMSickles@house.virginia.gov, DelCHerring@house.virginia.gov, DelBCarr@house.virginia.gov, DelLTorian@house.virginia.gov, DelMSimon@house.virginia.gov, DelRSullivan@house.virginia.gov, DelCHayes@house.virginia.gov, DelKTran@house.virginia.gov, DelTGilbert@house.virginia.gov, DelTKilgore@house.virginia.gov, DelTAustin@house.virginia.gov, DelMWebert@house.virginia.gov, DeliOquinn@house.virginia.gov, DelABatten@house.virginia.gov 

Email Subject Line (copy/paste into “subject” part of the email): Vote NO on HB 1255

Email Body Draft (copy/paste text below into an email with the above subject):

I am writing to ask you to vote NO on HB 1255 Public institutions of higher education; diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.  HB 1255 would require all public institutions of higher education to certify annually that “no diversity, equity, and inclusion-related program, instruction, or initiative provided or sponsored by such institution promotes anti-Semitism”. This is clearly an attempt to exploit the controversial and weaponized IHRA Working Definition (WDA) of Antisemitism to suppress pro-Palestinian voices and criticism of Israel and/or Zionism. Scholars, educators, and students on university campuses are being targeted and attacked across the country in a coordinated effort to stifle free speech, and academic freedom. Since taking office, Governor Youngkin and Attorney General Miyares have sent multiple letters to university presidents and administrations as a means to intimidate public institutions into censoring the educational space for both educators and the student body.

There are many reasons why this bill should be rejected, including the following:

1. Since the Commonwealth of Virginia has defined antisemitism to include criticism of the Israeli government, then it cannot prohibit what it has defined as “antisemitism,” because criticism of any government is protected free speech and vital for the functioning of democracy.  
2. This bill deliberately leverages the controversial IHRA definition of antisemitism adopted by the General Assembly in 2023. If HB 1255 were to pass, it would put public university administrators in the position of having to comply with either HB1255 or the Constitution!
3. If public institutions of higher education are to be required to certify that no “program, instruction, or initiative provided or sponsored by such institutions promotes anti-Semitism,” then they should also be required to certify that they don’t promote any other type of hate or bigotry, including anti-Black, anti-Palestinian anti-Muslim, anti-Arab, anti-Asian hatred and discrimination.  
4. This bill could restrict professors from teaching current events and Palestine studies, and could justify banning certain books. This would undermine the credibility of Virginia Universities and impede the teaching of a comprehensive curriculum.
5. This could make students and educators feel unsafe in a place where they should feel protected to learn and expand their knowledge.  
6. Anti-Jewish bigotry is already prohibited under current statutes.

For all the reasons listed above, I kindly ask you to vote NO on HB 1255 to affirm that free speech, academic freedom and the credibility of our distinguished public education institutions will not be compromised or suppressed to appease the demands of a foreign government

Your name

Your address

Phone (optional)

Click here to Return to Bill Information

Action Item 3B - HB1255

House Bill HB1255 - relating to public institutions of higher education; diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives; annual certification. [Higher Ed report on antisemitism - IHRA enforcement essentially]

Phone calls to your Delegate  AND Committee members (Who is my legislator?)

Please find a table with names and phone numbers for the House Rules Committee here

(If you are a constituent or representing an organization please indicate that on the call)

Suggested call script:

Hello, my name is __________. I am calling to ask Delegate___________ to vote NO on HB1255 Public institutions of higher education; diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

This is clearly an attempt to exploit the controversial and weaponized IHRA Working Definition (WDA) of Antisemitism to suppress pro-Palestinian voices and criticism of Israel and/or Zionism. Scholars, educators, and students on university campuses are being targeted and attacked across the country in a coordinated effort to stifle free speech, and academic freedom. Since taking office, Governor Youngkin and Attorney General Miyares have sent multiple letters to university presidents and administrations as a means to intimidate public institutions into censoring the educational space for both educators and the student body.

I ask that Delegate __________ vote NO on HB1255

Thank you

Click here to Return to Bill Information

Action Item 5A - SR1

Senate Resolution: SR1 “Expressing support for the State of Israel and condemning the actions of Hamas”

Email the Committee AND your Senator if not on the committee (Who is my legislator?)

Email addresses of committee members (copy/paste all into the “to” part of the email): senatorboysko@senate.virginia.gov, senatordeeds@senate.virginia.gov, senatorebbin@senate.virginia.gov, senatorfavola@senate.virginia.gov, senatorHashmi@senate.virginia.gov, senatorlocke@senate.virginia.gov, senatorlucas@senate.virginia.gov, senatormarsden@senate.virginia.gov, senatormcpike@senate.virginia.gov, senatormcdougle@senate.virginia.gov, senatorpeake@senate.virginia.gov, senatorpillion@senate.virginia.gov, senatorrouse@senate.virginia.gov, senatorsurovell@senate.virginia.gov, senatorstuart@senate.virginia.gov 

Email Subject Line (copy/paste into “subject” part of the email): Vote NO on Resolution SR 1

Email Body Draft (copy/paste text below into an email with the above subject):

I am writing to ask you to vote NO on SR 1 - “Expressing support for the State of Israel and condemning the actions of Hamas.” This resolution is extremely misleading and grossly anti-Palestinian, and also dehumanizes Palestinians and completely erases the Palestinian people.  It is outrageous to introduce and consider such a bigoted resolution, particularly while the Israeli regime is currently indiscriminately bombing the Gaza Strip, and committing genocidal massacres and other war crimes and crimes against humanity against the 2.3 million Palestinian civilians that it has imprisoned for the last 17 years within the Gaza Strip.

The crimes that Israel is currently committing in Gaza include: (1) the mass murder of over 32,000 Palestinians, including over 12,000 children, over 6,000 women, and 115 journalists; (2) the use of starvation and dehydration as weapons of war against a captive civilian population; (3) the forcible displacement of over 1.9 million Palestinian civilians from their homes; (4) the mass destruction of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure including the bombing of hospitals, schools, universities, bakeries, mosques, and churches; and (5) the damage and destruction of over 360,000 residential units.  The Israeli Zionist regime has a long record of barbaric human rights atrocities including the ethnic cleansing of over 80% of all Palestinians from their homes and ancestral homeland in 1948; a 56-year-old illegal military occupation of Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem; apartheid; an illegal blockade of the Gaza Strip since 2007; and periodic bombing attacks on the 2.3 million people imprisoned by the blockade, killing approximately 1,400 civilians in 2008-2009 and killing 2,310 civilians in 2014.  

Israel is now facing multiple criminal charges in the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for many of the crimes listed above.  If Israel and/or any of its leaders are found guilty on any of these charges, passage of SR 1 could be viewed as evidence of complicity in such crimes.

Lastly, it is not within the purview of the state government to interfere in foreign policy. The Virginia state government should focus on its own responsibilities and obligations towards its citizens and refrain from engaging in international affairs that are beyond its jurisdiction. For all the reasons listed above, I strongly urge you to vote NO on SR 1.

Your name

Your address

Phone (optional)

Click here to Return to Bill Information

Action Item 5B - SR1

Senate Resolution: SR1 “Expressing support for the State of Israel and condemning the actions of Hamas”

Phone calls to your Senator AND Committee members (Who is my legislator?)

Please find a table with names and phone numbers for the members of the Committee here

(If you are a constituent or representing an organization please indicate that on the call)

Suggested call script:

Hello, my name is __________. I am calling to ask Senator___________ to vote NO on SR1 “Expressing support for the State of Israel and condemning the actions of Hamas”

This resolution is extremely misleading and grossly anti-Palestinian and dehumanizes and erases the Palestinian people.  It is outrageous to introduce and consider such a bigoted resolution, particularly while the Israeli regime is currently indiscriminately bombing the Gaza Strip, and committing genocidal massacres and other war crimes and crimes against humanity against the 2.3 million Palestinian civilians that it has imprisoned for the last 17 years within the Gaza Strip.

Israel is now facing multiple criminal charges in the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for many of the crimes it is currently committing in Gaza, as well as for the crimes of illegal belligerent military occupation and apartheid.  If Israel and/or any of its leaders are found guilty on any of these charges, passage of SR 1 could be viewed as evidence of complicity in such crimes.

Lastly, it is not within the purview of the state government to interfere in foreign policy. The Virginia state government should focus on its own responsibilities and obligations towards its citizens and refrain from engaging in international affairs that are beyond its jurisdiction.

I ask that Senator __________ vote NO on SR1

Thank you

Click here to Return to Bill Information

Action Item 6A - HR9

House Resolution: HR9 - Expressing support for the State of Israel and condemning the actions of Hamas

Email your Delegate (Who is my legislator?)

(awaiting assignment to committee. Please start by emailing your delegate) 

Email your delegate (copy/paste all into the “to” part of the email):

Email Subject Line (copy/paste into “subject” part of the email): Vote NO on Resolution: HR9

Email Body Draft (copy/paste text below into an email with the above subject):

I am writing to ask you to vote NO on HR9 Expressing support for the State of Israel and condemning the actions of Hamas

(suggested draft email coming soon. Please insert your own language in the meantime opposing this resolution) .

Your name

Your address

Phone (optional)

Click here to Return to Bill Information

Action Item 6B - HR9

House Resolution: HR9 - Expressing support for the State of Israel and condemning the actions of Hamas

Phone calls to your Delegate (Who is my legislator?)

Please find a table with names and phone numbers for the members of the House Rules Committee Here

(If you are a constituent or representing an organization please indicate that on the call)

Suggested call script:

Hello, my name is __________. I am calling to ask Delegate ___________ to vote NO on HR9 “Expressing support for the State of Israel and condemning the actions of Hamas”

(suggested draft script coming soon. Please insert your own language in the meantime opposing this resolution) .

I ask that Delegate __________ vote NO on HR9

Thank you

Click here to Return to Bill Information

Click here to return to Action Item 5B (SB1)

Click here to Return to Bill Information

Click here to return to Action Item 1B (SB 604)

Click here to Return to Bill Information

Click Here to Return to Action Item 2B - HB758

Click here to Return to Bill Information

Click Here to Return to Action Item 3B - HB1255

Click here to Return to Bill Information

Click Here to Return to Action Item 6B - HR9

Resources

General Assembly Resources

• Find your Legislator:

https://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov/ 

• Members of the VA House of Delegates:

https://virginiageneralassembly.gov/house/members/members.php 

• Members of the VA Senate:

https://apps.senate.virginia.gov/Senator/index.php 

• House of Delegates Committees:

https://shorturl.at/avCN6 

• Senate Committees:

https://shorturl.at/cpBIQ   

• Senate Rules Committee:

https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?241+com+S10&241+com+S10 

• Virginia General Assembly main page:

https://virginiageneralassembly.gov/ 

• House Rules Committee:

https://virginiageneralassembly.gov/house/members/members.php?committee=H20